December 15 – April 22

I like wintering in Florida – think Ty not so much but maybe only because it is too humid and there are no hills. But it isn’t always warm in the winter – a couple of times it went down to 49 degrees and people were walking around in their down coats wondering if the RV pipes were going to freeze. Most of the time for me, I like the temps.

Ty desperately wanted to go back to Colorado to ski again, and he did! He learned that he was good once as he once was (in other words – he is not doing it again). He actually loved his month away skiing a little slower than in the past, snowshoeing a little slower than in the past and going to bed a lot earlier than in the past. He sold his skis and boots on his last day in the mountains and bid adieu to that pastime. Wouldn’t surprise me if he goes again in February just because he can.

Me – I was one busy lady. I remodeled the RV main living area. First, I refinished the upper cabinets, staining them a natural wood color to make the area a little brighter (I did a couple of cupboards last summer this time I finished all upper cupboards). Then I repainted two back walls, one behind the TV the other over the credenza. After that I tackled the island and repainted it black and put in copper panel inserts to cover up the really crap wood. Onto the dining table which was painted black but had such beautiful wood grain underneath; so, I just put a natural varnish on the top and painted the base black to cover up the Chet marks. Finally, I tackled the flooring which I scrubbed and got 6 years’ worth of grime out of the cracks, then put down a polish that makes the flooring look new again. I did all this the month of February while Ty was gone – he was very happy that he was not involved in any of this work!

Never a dull moment

Wintering in one spot is like being in college except there are no exams, no studying and I can afford it! Blueway, while not the most luxurious place as far as RV resorts go, but it is a fun place. Bi monthly themed pool parties, major holiday celebrations, pot lucks, Euchre, corn hole, pickleball and not to forget just the pool to hang out to cool off. Combine that with all the places we went to that have terrific bands for dancing, great dinner spots on the water, the tourist activities that we did and the nights at someone’s RV just having a good time. Never were we lacking for something to do. And the best part? Usually sound asleep by 10pm!!

We are always happy to visit with John and Sandy and are very grateful for them letting us use their address for residency and collecting what mail we get and forwarding it on to us. Sandy, by the way, is an excellent cook and even left over dinners are the best eating. John and Sandy have been our friends for over 55 years, John went to grade school with Ty. Lots of history there.

It was very hard for me not to see my friend Denise with us at La Ola’s. We danced and laugh in her memory for sure. Kit was a trooper; he spent the winter down in FL spending much healing time at La Ola’s singing with Johnnie Walker. Kit sure can get a crowd going! We also did the annual Fort Myers Beach Fundraiser which is a putting event.

Family

My brother Will and bride Pam wintered in a place not too far from us and we got together a few times although never enough. Sad to say that Will has decided to hang up the RV keys; our days of traveling together are over. Sure, was a good 9 year run tho!

Colleen, my niece on the Ouellette side of family, came down for a very relaxing visit.

Amy and Scott just scooted in at the last week for a quick weekend.

Chet prefers the cooler climates so we left him in Colorado with Amy in December. His girl dog friend, MysTee, was not happy that he was not there. She would come in the rig and sniff all around for him, jump on our bed. Maybe next year. There were A LOT of dogs this year, all that walked by got treats.

Even had a nesting gopher tortoise by the park entrance which I fed daily.

All of a sudden it is time to go!

Took us a week to break camp, find a storage unit for all the stuff we have accumulated (returning next year) and get back on the road. We were actually kind of proud of ourselves for being able to ready Wanda for departure without a hitch, hook her up and pull out. Heading back to Colorado, Estes Park for the summer. Will make a few stops along the way.